The Firewood Stove
The Firewood Stove is a huge, round and green glazed stove made from brick. Before the ceremony of worshipping heaven began, a washed and shaved calf was put on the stove and burned with pine twigs and reeds in order to welcome the God of Heaven – a ritual known as "Giving a Warm Welcome to the Imperial God by Burning Firewood." After the ceremony was completed, all the offerings, ceremonial placards and silk scrolls were respectfully transferred to the stove and put inside to be burned while the emperor stood by watching – a ritual called ‘Watching the Burning.
